MUMBAI: A 70-year-old Samajwadi Party worker was shot dead by a known hoodlum, for preventing his son from associating with gangsters at Jogeshwari (W), late on Friday night. Police sources said, the incident took place around 10.30 pm when deceased Jainuddin Kardi was near his residence at Vaishali Society under jurisdiction of Oshiwara police station. The suspect, identified as Gaffor Chikna, stalked him and fired a round from close range. The bullet pierced the back of Kadri's right ear killing him on the spot.

Bangladeshis held

JAMMU: Nine Bangladesh nationals were captured while trying to infiltrate into India from a border outpost in RS Pura of Jammu region on Saturday, the BSF said here. Of the arrested Bangladeshis, two were women. Meanwhile, police said they had recovered three kg deadly RDX and some other arms and ammunition from Kalai Top area of Poonch district on Friday.

Thackeray plea

NAGPUR: The Nagpur bench of Mumbai HC has admitted a petitionfiled by Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray praying for quashing defamation proceedings against him launched by a Congressman in a lower court for allegedly making derogatory remarks against women, particularly against party leader Sonia Gandhi. Justice AB Palkar also granted a stay on the defamation proceedings against Thackeray.

Teachers' stir

NEW DELHI: Countrywide strike by university and college teachers continued for the twelfth day Saturday with no signs of rapproachment between the government and agitators. Academic work in colleges and universities remained disrupted due to the strike being spearheaded by All India Federation of University and College Teachers' Organisations. The AIFUCTO chief has said that a decision to further intensify the stir would be taken on August 24.

Hooch tragedy

CHENNAI: Seven people died and 15 others were hospitalised after they consumed illicit liquor at Paruvoothi and Yenasolai villages under Yulagiri police station limits of Tamil Nadu, late lastnight. Four people died on the way to a hospital while three others died on admission to the hospital. Police suspect that methyl alcohol might have been mixed with the hooch while manufacturing it.

Botha appeals

JOHANNESBURG: Former apartheid regime President P W Botha today appealed against his conviction by a court for disregarding the truth and reconciliation commission (TRC) even as the ruling African National Congress welcomed the verdict against him.